Tag Archives: parking

IPMI & Member News, Resources, Safety & Security, Transportation & Mobility

Member News: Propark Mobility Provides Non-Clinical Services During COVID-19 Health Crisis

March 30, 2020 Rachel Yoka Leave a comment

Hartford, Connecticut – Propark Mobility announced today that the company is providing nonclinical services to healthcare organizations across the country, through its CleanCo division, in response to the COVID-19 global health crisis.

“CleanCo has been providing cleaning and maintenance services to the parking industry for decades,” explained John Schmid, Propark’s Chief Executive Officer. “During these challenging times, we felt that it was important for us to step up as a company to help in the fight against coronavirus, specifically when it comes to hospitals and healthcare facilities.”

By providing important non-clinical services such as supplemental cleaning and sanitization, environmental services, internal patient transport, concierge services, and more, Propark and CleanCo are able to alleviate that responsibility from healthcare workers, allowing them to provide better care for their patients. Additionally, the company offers traffic and transportation control, to include congestion alleviation for COVID-19 testing facilities.

“We understand that each patient, visitor and healthcare worker is going through a personal journey in one way or another,” said John Reimers, Chief Operating Officer of Propark Mobility. “By leveraging our staff to support these non-clinical areas of importance, we’re helping to make our healthcare professionals more effective, in a time where there is so little bandwidth during this crisis. We feel that we bring a critical element that is needed right now at hospitals across the country.”

With services deployed within 48 hours, and no long-term commitment required, hospitals and healthcare facilities can get immediate support for their non-clinical needs by logging on to www.propark.com/cleanco.

About Propark Mobility Propark Mobility is one of the country’s largest privately-owned parking companies, providing full-service parking and mobility services for over 500 hospitality, healthcare, commercial and off-airport locations, in over 75 cities across the United States. For more information, please visit www.propark.com.

Media Contact:
Dennis Safford
dennis.safford@propark.com
(860) 856-4104

IPMI & Member News, Resources, Safety & Security

Member News: Frictionless Parking Promotes Public Health

March 30, 2020 Rachel Yoka Leave a comment

Los Angeles, CA (March 30, 2020)—In this uncertain time of pandemic and public health crisis, we must find ways to minimize common touchpoints that could allow the Coronavirus and other viruses to spread more widely. SKIDATA, the leading provider of parking technology, urges parking owners, operators, and business owners with parking assets to look to frictionless parking to protect their staff and patrons, and promote public health.

“Frictionless parking was developed as a driver amenity, to make parking more convenient,” said Chris McKenty, SKIDATA Vice President. “No one foresaw that it could also promote public health, but that’s exactly what it’s doing. Owners and operators who already have frictionless technologies in place should encourage tenants and parking patrons to take advantage of the technology and create user accounts. And those who don’t should look into expanding their current equipment into frictionless technology suites.”

Frictionless parking suites combine several parking technologies, including Parking Access & Revenue Control Systems (PARCS), License Plate Recognition (LPR), and parking guidance technology to provide a completely touch-free parking experience. Parkers register their vehicles online and establish credit card payment credentials. When they drive to a frictionless parking facility, the LPR equipment recognizes the vehicle and permits entry; the parking guidance equipment directs them to an open space, and when they are ready to leave, the LPR again recognizes the vehicle and bills the associated credit card the appropriate fee. Some systems include pre-booking platforms that allow parkers to reserve and pay for parking in advance.

“Promoting public health isn’t just about the Coronavirus,” said McKenty. “Hopefully, this virus will be eradicated soon. But even if it is, we are still subjected to the flu and other viruses every year. The new reality of parking is that we need to eliminate as many common touchpoints as possible, and frictionless parking can be an important part of a parking public health strategy.”

About SKIDATA

SKIDATA is an international leader in the field of access solutions and their management. Almost 10,000 SKIDATA installations worldwide in ski resorts, stadiums, airports, shopping malls, cities, spa & wellness facilities, trade fairs and amusement parks provide secure and reliable access and entry control for people and vehicles. SKIDATA places great value in providing solutions that are intuitive, easy to use, and secure. The integrated concepts of SKIDATA solutions help clients optimize performance and maximize profits. SKIDATA Group (www.skidata.com) belongs to the publicly traded Swiss Kudelski Group (www.nagra.com), a leading provider of digital security solutions.

Contact:
Bill Smith
Smith Phillips
(603) 491-4280
bsmith@smith-phillips.com

Education & Training, Publications, Resources

A Guide to Parking

March 25, 2020 Rachel Yoka Leave a comment

Many parking professionals have lamented that there is no textbook for our industry—until now.

A Guide to Parking provides information on the current state of parking, providing professionals and students with an overview of major areas of the parking, transportation, and mobility industry, punctuated by brief program examples. More than 30 subject matter experts and many of our dedicated volunteers contributed chapters on their specific area of expertise for a comprehensive volume about parking.

Order your copy today! Available for purchase on Routledge and Amazon in paper and digital versions.

Paperback: $53.61
Digital: $43.41

A Guide to Parking approaches the industry from a broad perspective, first providing an overview of the industry, the various frameworks that parking relates to, and then more specific aspects of the industry.
Developed for professionals new to the field and managers for use in orientation and refresher training, and graduate-level students focusing on areas of study that are impacted by the parking industry: planning, engineering, architecture, real estate, transportation programs, and more.
Including a glossary and a fully-indexed content, the new volume will serve as the consolidated reference book for CAPP candidates in the near future.

IPMI Webinar: The CCPA and State Efforts to Protect Consumer Privacy: What the Parking Industry Should Know

Member News: Honk is providing its contactless, cashless & app-less HonkTAP smart stations for free to owners and operators of parking lots across North America

March 17, 2020 Rachel Yoka Leave a comment

This no cost initiative is meant to encourage drivers everywhere to safely pay for parking using contactless payments.

Toronto, ON – March 12, 2020 – In response to the current coronavirus outbreak, HonkMobile, North America’s leading provider of electronic payments for the parking industry, announced today it will be providing its HonkTAP pay stations to owners and operators of parking across North America at no cost in an effort to encourage drivers everywhere to pay for parking via contactless payments.

Society is being forced to adapt – and quickly – to help stop the spread of the virus. The World Health Organization recently issued a statement urging consumers to use contactless payments whenever possible in an effort to reduce the risk of the transmission of COVID-19 (coronavirus).

“This is one small way we’re trying to do our part,” said Michael Back, Honk CEO and President. “We have developed this technology and would like to share it with the world so that drivers can park smart, avoid cash and high-touch areas like parking kiosks, and pay in a safe and responsible way.”

With no app to download or account to set up, drivers simply tap or scan their phone on a HonkTAP smart station to pay. This contactless option gives drivers the fastest and safest checkout process available today. With no cash or public structure to touch, drivers simply tap their phone or scan the QR code near a HonkTAP station to pay for parking.

The implementation of HonkTAP smart stations is fast, simple and requires minimal effort for the parking operator. Honk will provide operators with an NFC-embedded smart station that can be used in any parking location. HonkTAP stations don’t require power or internet connection and they can be set up quickly and be ready for use in minutes.

Email sales@honkmobile.com to inquire about getting HonkTAP stations at no cost delivered to your parking operation today.

To see how HonkTAP works, View the video here

About HonkMobile Honk is North America’s leading provider of both on-demand mobile payments and advance parking reservations. Since 2014 Honk has been creating solutions to avoid and eliminate the traditional parking meter. First, with their innovative app, then with HonkKIO — a low-cost payment kiosk aligned with the app. Now HonkTAP completes their family of products, serving the needs of all drivers, parking operators, and real estate owners — making it simple to pay for parking with the tap of a phone.

For information, interviews, and images, please contact Rachel Lemkow, Director, Marketing. rachel@honkmobile.com, 416.574.5832

IPMI & Member News

Member News: LAZ Parking Implements measures in reaction to impact of COVID-19

March 17, 2020 Rachel Yoka Leave a comment

Establishes Employee Relief Fund to Support Temporarily Displaced Employees

Hartford, CT – Alan Lazowski, Chief Executive Officer of LAZ Parking, underscored his company’s commitment today to protecting customers, clients and employees impacted by the evolving threat of COVID-19, or Coronavirus.

In a separate letter, Lazowski assured employees that the LAZ senior leadership response team is monitoring the unfolding situation, tracking developments, and taking all recommended measures to keep everyone safe.

“The health and safety of our customers, clients, and employees across our 3,100 locations and 423 cities is, and always will be, our highest priority,” Lazowski said. “As this situation continues to unfold, we will closely monitor and take guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as state and local health officials around the country.”

LAZ is also responding to the significant downturn across all aspects of the economy impacting the industries that LAZ serves, including stadiums, entertainment venues, restaurants, office buildings, hotels, airports, and universities. During these unprecedented times LAZ and its dedicated team of leaders throughout the nation are working tirelessly 24/7 to protect as many jobs as they can and the long-term future of the company.

LAZ has also notified its employees that a percentage of its workforce will be temporarily reduced at this time with the intention of being rehired once the crisis subsides and business rebounds.

“It is going to take difficult sacrifices and federal government intervention to bridge the financial gap created by this pandemic and help our nation’s workforce receive higher unemployment benefits during this crisis,” added Lazowski. “We have been and will continue to be in contact with the highest levels in government in order to advocate for our people, our company and members of the entire parking industry. We are asking that the federal government provide relief to the parking industry and our temporarily reduced workforce and pay as close to 100% of employees’ wages during the layoff period. We are optimistic that the federal government will do the right thing.”

LAZ’ founding partners will not take any pay for at least the next 90 days and have established a $1,000,000 Employee Relief Fund, where furloughed team members can apply for financial grants. There will be no expectation of grant repayment and the money.

Since 1981, LAZ has navigated many business challenges in times of extreme volatility. The company wants to assure the public that the Spirit of LAZ, rooted in its “Never Ever Give Up” attitude, has never been stronger!

About LAZ Parking

LAZ Parking founded in Hartford, CT in 1981, is one of the largest and fastest-growing parking companies in the United States, operating over 1.2 million parking spaces across the country in over 3,155 locations in 35 states and 423 cities. With over 38 years of experience providing parking management, transportation and mobility services, LAZ works seamlessly across a variety of market segments, including hospitality and valet, office buildings, medical, airport and transportation, campus, government and municipal, retail, events, residential building and shuttle services. Additional information can be found at www.lazparking.com.

Outreach and Media Relations, Podcasts & Videos, Resources, Technology, Transportation & Mobility

The Parking Podcast Episode (E24): An Interview with Kacey Siskind and a Conversation about Contactless Payment

March 17, 2020 Rachel Yoka Leave a comment

Kacey Siskind, Senior Vice President with HonkMobile, discusses contactless payment, multi-app and HonkMobile.

Check it out here.

https://www.parkingcast.com/

IPMI Blog, Resources

Mobility of the Future

March 16, 2020 Kim Fernandez Leave a comment

As mobility technologies and services, consumer preferences and behaviors, and transportation policies co-evolve over the coming decades, there is great uncertainty about both the pace of continued change and which mobility options will be adopted. A few things, however, are certain: as the world’s population grows and becomes wealthier, the demand for personal mobility, convenience, and flexibility will increase.

So write a team of MIT researchers introducing their findings on how we’ll get around in the future–what we’ll use, how attitudes will change, what’s driving it all, and when it will all hit. From fuels to vehicle ownership to infrastructure and social status considerations, they take an in-depth look at what transportation will look like around the world, and what that means for industry professionals now. Read it in the March issue of Parking & Mobility.

IPMI Blog, Resources

Collaboration

February 19, 2020 Kim Fernandez Leave a comment

By Robert Ferrin

The parking, mobility, and transportation industry is changing at a head-spinning rate and driving us to innovate and be responsive to our customers, new technology, and increasing demand for the curb and parking space. As the industry changes, expectations have increased for what a parking and mobility professional is and in what space we operate.

These expectations were never higher than for our team as we developed the Short North Parking Plan. Our team quickly realized that collaboration would be critically important to the success of the plan’s development and implementation. So what did collaboration look like?

First, it meant bringing together a wide array of internal and external stakeholders to develop a plan that was as comprehensive as possible for as many user groups as possible. It meant engaging with the community in public meetings, focus groups, online and in-person surveys, and via social media.

Second, collaboration meant the city couldn’t implement a dynamic plan alone. The city collaborated with the vendor community to put together a holistic parking plan that leveraged technology and used a data-driven approach to modify in the future. Combining virtual permitting, mobile payment, license plate recognition cameras, and a parking benefit district to leverage newfound revenues was a formula that worked for the Short North.

Most importantly, it took a collaborative approach between multiple entities and organizations to get it done and become work the city is using as a foundation for parking enhancements in other parts of Columbus.

Robert Ferrin is the assistant director for parking services with the City of Columbus, Ohio. He will be presenting on this topic at the 2020 IPMI Conference & Expo, May 31 – June 3, in San Antonio, Texas. For information and to register, click here.

IPMI Blog, Resources

Are You Too High Up to Bend Down?

January 30, 2020 Kim Fernandez Leave a comment

By Jennifer Carroll

My management philosophy is to lead by example. If I can do it, you can do it too. In my first parking manager position, I worked in all the different positions we had–cashier, auditor, shuttle driver, etc. I remember when I trained with someone in maintenance, he said, “Now you can go sit in the office and take a break.”

“Is that what you are going to do,” I asked. He said, “No, I am going to clean the bathrooms.” I said, “Well, if you are going to clean the bathrooms, I am going to clean the bathrooms too!” So we did.

Having a dirty parking lot is poor management, whether it is a restaurant, office building, department store, or airport. It sets the tone and gives the first impression of the building. It says either, “We don’t care how dirty things look or are,” or “We pride ourselves for being clean inside and out.” Maybe I am too picky, but I notice these things–if there are cigarette butts all over a restaurant parking lot, will the kitchen be dirty too? If there are food wrappers all around the parking lot of a hospital, do they care about how clean their instruments are?

It’s important to set an example for your team and pick up some trash. Now I am not suggesting that you pick up all trash you see everywhere, but if a member of your team catches you doing it, they are more likely to do it, too. So let’s pitch in to be a great example and maybe even save some labor dollars while we do it!

Jennifer Carroll is regional director with REEF PARKING.